title: Exploratory factor analysis of African Self-Consciousness Scale scores.
abstract: This study replicates and extends prior studies of the dimensionality, convergent, and external validity of African Self-Consciousness Scale scores with appropriate exploratory factor analysis methods and a large gender balanced sample (N = 348). Viable one- and two-factor solutions were cross-validated. Both first factors overlapped significantly and were labeled "Embracing African Heritage." The second subscale of the two-factor solution was labeled "Refusal to Deny African Heritage." Only the structural validity of the first factor of the two-factor solution was fully consistent with prior findings. Partial evidence of convergent validity was found for all factors, and only the second factor of the two-factor solution received external validity support. Implications for usage of the African Self-Consciousness Scale and recommendations for further investigation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8085, USA. ranjitb@eden.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Ranjit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhagwat
authors.forename: Shalonda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States